FAQ-Advertising Structure

Any hoarding or similar structure or apparatus, whether mechanical, electrical, electronic or in any other form, used, or adapted, for use, for the display of advertisements.

Which display of the advertisements is not considered to be an advertising structure?

The following structures are not considered as advertising structures:

Advertisement on a road vehicle which is not mainly used for advertising purposes.

A structure within 100 feet of a building or site, otherwise than on or over a road, which

Merely discloses the name or nature of the business carried out on the site; or

Merely discloses the name of the owner or manager of the business.

An advertising structure inside a building relating solely to goods and services supplied in connection with the business carried on in that building;

An advertisement at the entrance of the premises, otherwise than on or over a road, which relates solely to a recreation, entertainment, meeting or sale which is available or is being held on the land.

What should a person wishing to set up an advertising structure do?

Before erecting or display of the structure, he should, depending on the place where the structure is to be set up, seek the written permission of the Road Development Authority or Local Authority as applicable.

When should the permission of the Road Development Authority be sought?

When the advertising structure is visible from the following motorways and main roads:

Motorways :

M1 - Port Louis and Plaisance Dual Coverage

M2 - Port Louis - Pamplemousses Dual Coverage

Main Roads :

A1 to A13

B1 to B119

Which Local Authority should be contacted for a permission to erect an Advertising Structure?

For advertising structure visible from an urban or a rural road or any other place other than motorways and main roads, the permission should be sought from the Municipal Council or District Council within the boundary of which falls the place where the advertising structure is to be set up.

What should the owner of the advertising structure do after having obtained permission from the Road Development Authority or relevant Local Authority?

He should, not later than 14 days from the date the permission is granted, call at the MRA to register the advertising structure. He should also within one month of the date the permission is granted, effect payment of the applicable advertising structure fee.

What fees are payable?

The fee is based on the size of the advertising structure and is as follows:

SIZE

FEE (Rs)

Financial Year

Quarter

(a) not exceeding 2 m²

5,000

1,250

(b) exceeding 2 m² but not exceeding 3 m²

7,500

1,875

(c) exceeding 3 m² but not exceeding 4 m²

10,000

2,500

(d) exceeding 4 m² but not exceeding 5 m²

12,500

3,125

(e) exceeding 5 m² but not exceeding 6 m²

15,000

3,750

(f) exceeding 6 m² but not exceeding 7 m²

17,500

4,375

(g) exceeding 7 m² but not exceeding 8 m²

20,000

5,000

(h) exceeding 8 m² but not exceeding 9 m²

22,500

5,625

(i) exceeding 9 m² but not exceeding 10 m²

25,000

6,250

(j) exceeding 10 m² but not exceeding 11 m²

27,500

6,875

(k) exceeding 11 m² but not exceeding 12 m²

30,000

7,500

(l) exceeding 12 m² but not exceeding 24 m²

40,000

10,000

(m) exceeding 24 m² but not exceeding 33 m²

50,000

12,500

(n) exceeding 33 m² but not exceeding 36 m²

60,000

15,000

(o) exceeding 36 m²

70,000

17,500

When should the fee be paid?

The fee may be effected either in one sum by 31st January or in four instalments not later than 15th January,15th April,15th July and 15th October.

What penalty is applicable when the fee is paid late?

Where the owner fails to pay the fee on the last day on which it is payable, he shall be liable to pay a penalty of 5% of the fee and interest at the rate of 1% per month or part of the month on any amount of the fee unpaid up to date of payment.

Any other obligation for the owner of the structure?

The owner of the advertising structure should affix a registered mark, consisting of his name and registration number on the advertising structure, each character being of the size not less than 25mm (H) x 16mm (W).

What should an owner do if he wants to bring alterations to an advertising structure?

He should give written notice of his intention to the highway authority not later than 30 days before the alteration is made.

What would happen to the fee when the structure is altered?

The fee shall be adjusted to reflect the fee payable based on the size.

What should an owner do if he intends to remove an advertising structure?

He should give written notice of his intention to the highway authority not later than 30 days before the alteration is made.

What happens where a person fails to comply with the above obligations?

The Advertising Regulations Act provides that any owner who fails to :

Affix the registration mark

Register his advertising structure; or

Give written notice to the Road Development Authority or relevant Local Authority as the case may be and the Director General of any alteration or removal of an advertising structure

Shall commit an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding Rs 50000